Continuous system of extracting



March 13, 1951 c, wEDLi-ER 2,544,816

CONTINUOUS SYSTEM OF EXTRACTINC Filed March 4, 1947 INVENTOR.

FREDER/CK C. WEDLER Patented Mar. 13, 1951 4 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE 2,544,816 I CONT-INUGUS SYSTEM OF EXTRACTING Frederick C. We'dler, Swarth'more, Pa.-, 'assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, DeL, a corporation ofDcl'aware Application March 4, 1947, Serial No. 732,241

7 Claims.

1 This invention relates to an apparatus employing a continuous system for extracting liquids from fabrics, filaments, fibers, strands or like materials. 1

It is common practice to place large quantities of materials that are to be extracted in a centrifugal basket which is revolved at a predetermined speed for a given period of time after which the material is removed. This is the batch system for extracting liquids and a considerable portion of the operating time is given to loading, starting, stopping, and unloading. It can readily be seen that production is greatly reduced due to the excessive time spent in preparing the material for extracting. This disadvantage is -overcome in the present invention.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device for continuously extracting liquids from fabric, filaments, fibers, strands or like materials.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the following drawing and description herein after.

In the drawing illustrative of the invention, the single figure is an elevational view partly in section of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, reference character indicates the supporting framework of the present invention. Suitably secured to the base of the supporting frame is a substantially cylindrical stationary drum 2. As illustrated, the stationary drum 2 is flanged inwardly at its base as indicated by reference character 3, and is attached to the base of the framework l by a plurality of screws i, a weld, or other fastening means. The upper portion of the drum is flanged as indicated by reference character 5 in the same manner as the base.

Extending along the axial centerline of the stationary drum 2 is a rotatable shaft 6 supported by two bearings! and 8 which are secured in the base and cover respectively of the supporting frame. .I. Aflixed to the lower end of the rotatable shaft is a driving pulley or some other applicable coupling 9 to which rotation is imparted by a driving means (not shown).

The rotatable shaft 6 is partially hollowed at its. upper and lower extremities as indicated by reference characters 45 and H respectively. Attached to the rotatable shaft 6 below the bearing 8 is an annular member 12, and attached to the outer periphery of the member 52 and extending down and secured to the shaft just above the bearing 8 is a perforated hollow cone-like member [3. Affixed to the inner wall of the hollow cone-like member and connecting the lower hollowed portion H of the shaft 6 and the upper hollowed portion [0 of the shaft 6 is an 2 open spiral trough-like conduit means II. The spiral trough-like means It is constructed of a foraminous material or more specifically of a porous or perforated metallic substance. The trough It has its apex at the point it emerges from the hollow portion H of the shaft 6 and it increases in proportion to the diameter of the cone until it reaches. its maximum diameter at 20, from which point it is bent to enter the hollow portion [0 of the shaft 6. The lower edge of the trough I 4 projects out slightly as indicated by reference character 2|. This is preferably projected to such a distance that when the apparatus is stopped the fibrous material or other goods thereon will not fall from the trough and create a necessity for relacin'g the material the next time it is started.

As the goods, "such as lengths of fabric, filaments, fibers, strands or like material, come from the feeding device (not shown) they enter the hollow portion H which is preferably concentric with the axis of the rotating shaft 6. Due to the weight of the material and the centrifugal force created by the rapidly rotating cone the material passes along the trough-like member to the maximum diameter of the trough. From this point. it is pulled inwardly and through the hollow portion ID of the shaft "6 by take on means such as a reel, not shown. As the material passes along the trough the liquid is extracted therefrom by centrifugal force. This liquid passes through the porous substance or perforations provided in the spiral trough from whence it passes into the stationary drum where it is drained off by the drain I5 provided in the base of the frame i. Since the material loses weight as it proceeds along'the trough, due to the extraction of moisture therefrom, there is no difiiculty encountered in returning the material to the center and into the hollow portion I'D which is preferably concentric with the axis of the rotatable shaft 6. In lacing the present invention a length of strand which acts as a leader is inserted into the hollow'portion .H and started in the spiral trough. One end of the strand is attached to the goods to be treated, whether this be a fabric, filament, strand or other like material. When the leader protrudes from the hollow portion ill, it is fastened. on the take-elf device (not shown) and the extracting process starts. It is of importance that the 'speed o'f the take-off device equals the speed of the piece goods passing through the spiral trough. If the take-off device moves at a greater rate than the piece goods passing through the trough the goods will be drawn from the trough and. eventually an undesirable tension will exist between the feeding and take-off de-- vice. If the speed of the take-off device is less than the speed of the piece goods in the spiral trough there will be a tendency of the material to pile up inside the cone and clog the exit.

Near the apex of the rotating cone [3 is an annular gutter 16 that surrounds the outside surface of the cone and serves to deflect any liquid that might have a tendency to run down the edge and corrode the driving or supporting means. Below this gutter the rotating cone is not perforated. Also below the gutter is a cylindrical guard ll attached to the frame I and placed around the bearing to keep liquid or other foreign matter from the driving or supporting means.

Located above the upper bearing 8 and around the hollow shaft is a brake drum ii; that is operated by the lever arm is. ihis brake is applied when it is desired to stop the rotating cone !3 more rapidly after the power has been shut off. However it is to be understood that this brake may be of any suitable type and may be located anywhere on the shaft or on the driving means itself.

art in that a continuous system may be inaugurated which would increase product on and reduce the cost of the extraction of liquids from fabrics, threads, strands or the like.

Although this invention has been described with reference to the embodiment shown, it will readily be appreciated that numerous changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope or" the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claims 1. An apparatus for continuously extracting liquids from fibrous material having indefinite length and the like which comprises bearing means, shaft means rotatably supported in the bearin means, aspiral conduit secured to the shaft means and having a ioraminous wall on the side of the conduit away from the axis, the shaft means having spaced axial passageways in opposite ends thereof to provide an axial entrance and an axial exit for the material, each passageway being connected to an adjacent end of the conduit to provide communication therewith.

2. An apparatus for continuously extracting liquids from fibrous materialhaving indefinite length and the like which comprises bearing means, shaft means rotatably supported in the bearing means, a container mounted on the shaft means and rotatable therewith, a spiral trough secured to the shaft means Within the container and having a foraminous wall on the side of the trough away from the axis, the shaft means having spaced axial passageways in opposite ends thereof to provide an axial entrance and an axial exit for the material, each passageway being connected to'an adjacent end of the trough to provide communication therewith.

3. Anapparatus for continuously extracting liquids from fabric and the like which comprises a container mounted on a shaft and rotatable therewith, a spiral trough secured to the inner wall of said container and having a foraminous wall on the side of the trough away from the axis, the. shaft having axial passageways adjacent to each end of the container to provide an axial entrance and an axial exit for the material, and the trough connecting with the passageways in the shaft to provide communication therewith.

4. An apparatus for continuously extracting liquids from fabric and the like which comprises a perforated container mounted on a shaft and rotatable therewith, a spiral trough secured to the inner wall of said container and having a foraminous wall on the side of the trough away from the axis, the shaft having axial passageways adjacent to each end of the container to provide an axial entrance and an axial exit for the material, and the trough connecting with the passageways in the shaft to provide communication therewith.

5. An apparatus for continuously extracting liquids from piece goods and the like which comprises a porous conical container mounted on a shaft and rotatable therewith, a spiral trough secured to the inner wall of the container and having a foraminous wall on the side of the trough away from the axis, the shaft having axial passageways adiacent to each end of the container to provide an axial entrance and an axial exit for the material, and the trough connecting the passageways in the shaft to provide communication therewith.

6. An apparatus for continuously extracting liquids from fibrous material which comprises a perforated conical container mounted on a shaft and rotatable therewith, a stationary drum surrounding the container, means for drawing liquid from the stationary drum, a spiral trough secured to the inner wall of the said container and having a foraminous wall on the side of the trough away from the axis, the shaft having axial passageways adjaccnt to each end of the container to provide an axial entrance and an axial exit for the material, and the trough connecting with the passageways in the shaft to provide communication therewith.

'7. An apparatus for continuously extracting liquids from fibrous matzrial which comprises a perforated conical container mounted on a shaft and rotatable therewith, a stationary drum surrounding the container, means for draining liquid from the stationary drum, means for supporting the shaft and stationary drum, a spiral trough secured to the inner wall of the container and having a foraminous wall on the side of the trough away from the exit, the shaft having axial passageways adjacent to each end of the container to provide an axial entrance and an axial exit for the material, and the trough connecting with the passageways in the shaft to provide communication therewith.

FREDERICK C. WEDLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 22, 1918 

